How digital enrolment can improve the student registration experience

It’s the time of year that students are getting their degree results, graduation plans are being made and end-of-year celebrations are in full swing at universities.

Meanwhile, many prospective students will be eagerly awaiting exam results on 13th August and looking forward to finding out where they will begin their higher education studies.

But changing student habits mean universities may wish to explore new ways of enrolling their students.

For decades in the UK, it has been the expectation that the vast majority of undergraduates will move to their university of choice.

But increased tuition fees and a higher cost of living mean many students are now choosing to save money by commuting to university.

Statistics from UCAS indicate that 31% of UK 18-year-old students intended to live at home in 2025 - a record high.

It means that many students won’t have the experience of arriving in student halls with their duvet and a brand-new set of crockery.

And it also means that the traditional face-to-face enrolment model may no longer be practical for many undergraduate students.

Add the significant number of postgraduate students studying by distance learning or signing up for entirely online courses, and university admissions teams are left with a challenge.

Managing registration with a queue in the sports hall may have been the only solution in years gone by, but technological developments mean there are more practical and efficient ways to handle the process.

As student expectations continue to evolve, many universities are reviewing how registration is delivered. A digital-first approach can improve both the student experience and administrative efficiency, while ensuring institutions maintain robust and compliant enrolment processes.

Admissions teams can meet students remotely, complete registration documents using secure electronic signatures, and maintain a comprehensive audit trail. Where required, identity verification is supported through trusted integration partners.

Digital enrolment isn't simply about replacing paper forms. It gives students greater flexibility while helping universities create a more secure, efficient and auditable registration process. If you're exploring ways to modernise student enrolment, we'd be happy to show you how Videosign can help. Book a demo today!